Infertile eggs (what to try)
If a pair of budgies are laying infertile eggs, several factors could be affecting fertility. Here's what you can do to improve the chances of getting fertile eggs in the next clutch:
1. Confirm Pair's Sex

• Double-check both birds are male and female. Sometimes two females (or two males) are mistaken for a breeding pair.
• A vet or experienced breeder can help with sexing if you're unsure.

2. Ensure Pair Bonding

• Budgies need to form a strong bond to breed successfully. Watch for mutual preening, feeding, and mating behavior.
• If they’re not bonding, consider re-pairing each bird with a different mate.

3. Check Mating Behavior

• Mating must occur for eggs to be fertile. Look for the male mounting the female and a brief cloacal contact.
• Lack of mating means no chance of fertile eggs.

4. Improve Diet

• A nutritious breeding diet is essential:
  • A high-quality seed mix. A variation of seeds
  • Fresh vegetables (e.g., leafy greens, carrots).
  • Calcium supplements (cuttlebone, mineral block, or liquid calcium).
  • Soft food or egg food can help trigger breeding readiness.

5. Optimise Environment

• Provide a quiet, stress-free area for the pair.
• Use a suitable nest box.
• Maintain 12-14 hours of daylight (natural or with lights).
• Keep temperature consistent (~70–80°F or 21–27°C).
  
  Check perches are firmly secured and do not move when birds try to mate on them.
  
  Have a round and one square perch in the breeding cage, both about 1/2 in diameter. This ensures the hen can have strong grip when trying to mate.
  
  

6. Give Time and Privacy

• Let the pair settle without too much disturbance.
• Don’t open the nest box too often, which can cause stress.

7. Health Check

• Have both birds checked by an avian vet for:
  • Reproductive health
  • Disease or infections
  • Parasites

If you implement these adjustments and still get infertile eggs after another clutch or two, it may be a permanent fertility issue in one of the birds.
 © Robert Manvell Please seek permission before reproducing this article.